Combined collar-button and tie-guard



. J. S. SMART.

COMBINED COLLAR BUTTON AND TIE GUARD.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1], 1920- Patented Dec. 21,1920.

' Jig $2741" UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIQE.

JAMES S. SMART, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED COLLAR-BUTTON AND TIE-GUARD.

Application filed March 1'7, 1920. Serial No. 366,556.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES S. SMART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Collar-But tons and Tie-Guards, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a combined (:01- lar button and tie guard, and particularly to a device of this character adapted to be applied to the rear portion of the collar and neck band of the shirt.

The old method of fastening the rear portion of the collar to the rear portion of the neck band of the shirt causes great wear and frequent damage to the tie, as it permits 7 the rear portion of the collar adjacent the rear button hole to be drawn firmly in engagement with the adjacent fold so that it is exceedingly difficult to adjust the tie in the tying operation, and in view of the friction and strain on the tie it only lasts a short while. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the use of a separate rear collar button prevents the collar from being easily fastened, and also interferes with the tie.

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby the collar is not only attached to the neck band, but the tie within the folds of the collar is supported in spaced relation to the folds thereof to prevent bind ing in the tying operation.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which engages the tie at two different points and not directly in the rear.

Another object is to provide a device of this character capable of bracing a soft collar as well as positioning the tie supporting guards so that one will be disposed on each side of the rear button hole.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character capable of being stamped from flexible material of substantial form.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved construction to be hereinafter more particularly described, fully claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a collar neck band and the tie guard and collar button,

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the devlce,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the neck band of a shirt, and B a collar of the turn-clown style. The device is intended to be disposed between the folds of the collar 13, and consists of a frame or body member 5, slightly less in width than the height of the collar. The frame 5 is stamped so as to do away with unnecessary material to render the device light, but at the same time enough of the material is retained to pro vide braces 6 so that the frame will not only flex when disposed within the folds of the collar but will also hold its shape.

Projecting from the lower portion 7 of the frame at each end thereof is an extension 8 having its end portion 9 projecting beyond the end of the frame. These extensions are extended back upon the frame in parallel spaced relation thereto to provide guards 10 adapted to receive the tie. It will be noted that these guards are disposed in spaced relation to each other and also extend beyond the frame so as to prevent the tie from simultaneously engaging the ends of the frame and the guards, and also for supporting the tie in the direct line of pull. A portion of the end 9 of each guard 10 is extended downwardly to provide tabs 11 which also assist in guiding the tie.

Projecting from the intermediate portion of the lower edge of the frame 5 is a tapering extension 12 which serves as the rear collar button for connecting the collar to the neck band. The extension is extendedoutwardly a short distance in right angular relation to the frame, and in the opposite direction to that of the guards 10. The extension is then extended upwardly as at 13 in parallel relation to the frame 5 and then inclined upwardly as at 14. The remainer of the extension is then extended upwardly in parallel relation to the frame 5 and portion 13 and then extended back to provide a head 15, with its end terminating below the guards 10. In view of the novel formation of the extension 12, the projection or hump caused at the rear of the collar by the old form of collar button, is eliminated in addition to permitting the collar to more readily conform to the neck band.

In use, as shown in Fig. 1, the frame 5 is disposed between the folds of the collar and the extension or collar button 12 extended through the rear button hole so as to permit the fold of the collar containing the button hole to be disposed in the recess formed between the frame 5 and portion 13 of the extension 12. The extension is then passed through the buttonhole 'in the neck band, the portions of the a space is occupied by the device, so as to eliminate projections at the rear portion of the neck band. It is, of course, obvious that the guards '10 are only wide enough to receive-the neck tie so that they also occupy a very small space. Regardless of this they are positioned in spacedrelation to the extension' and'the rear button'hole of the-neck band and collar.

The pressure which usually centers at the rear button hole and collar button is relieved by the guard members 10, which holds the folds of the collar slightly in spaced relation to each other. The tie disposed within the folds of the collar may then slide freely without binding at the rear portion thereof, the guards also preventing the tie from slipping down below the edge-of the collar.

To unfasten the collar and remove the frame, the collar is moved slightly downwardly so asto permit the portion of the neck band engaged with the inclined portion 161: to be disengaged therefrom. The extension 12 can then be easily removed.

' From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that this invention provides a novel combination ofa collar button and tie guard Which'eliminates all the difficulties encountered with the use of the old form of collar button and like devices which are positioned closely adjacent the rear button holes of the collar and neck band. 7 Notwithstanding these important features, the device can be stamped from a small quantity of flexible material, and in view of its novel construction and light weight, can be worn with comfort. r

I claim l. A device of the character described comprising a body member, guard members projecting fromsaid member, and a securing member projecting from said body member in the opposite direction to that of the guard members and terminating below the plane of the lower surface of the body 'mem her and the guards.

'2. A combined collar button and tie guard coniprisinga flexible body member adapted 'to be disposed between the folds of the collar, the end portions of said member including extensions bent upon said member to I said extensions being extended back upon the frame in spaced, parallel relation thereto, an extension pro ecting from the intermedlate portion of said frame to provide a neck band and collar connection, said last men-.

tioned extension being extended back upon the frame to provide a recess and then canted outwardly, and extended upwardly and back upon itself, said extension terminating beyond the lower edge of the frame in parallel spaced relation to the frame.

In'testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JAMES SMART. 

